A Ponsford, Minn., man has been found guilty of raping a 16-year-old girl in the basement of his mother’s house.
After a four-day jury trial, Joseph Lee Bellanger, 40, was found guilty of two felony counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.
According to the complaint filed with Becker County District Court, on May 29, 2015, White Earth Officers responded to the St. Mary’s ER on a report of a sexual assault. The officers talked with the 16-year-old, who reported that the night before, Bellanger had sexually assaulted her. The girl reported that they were in the basement of Bellanger's mother’s house after he had driven her to Park Rapids Liquor Store.
She and a friend were at the house with Bellanger when her friend left. She also reportedly wanted to leave after her friend did, but Bellanger grabbed her by the hair and forced her down. She said he got on top of her and shoved a sock or cloth into her mouth.
The report states the girl fought, but Bellanger pinned her arms above her, hitting her in the face. Officers could see bruising to the girl's face, according to the complaint.
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The girl told police Bellanger flipped her over onto her stomach, ripped off her clothing and raped her. Afterwards, Bellanger got up to go to the bathroom, during which time the victim hurriedly put on her clothes and ran out of the house into the field.
The report states the girl’s house was nearby and, as she was running, she found her brother and told him what happened. He took her home, and the girl was seen at the St. Mary’s ER and then transported to Fargo for medical attention.
Sentencing for Bellanger is scheduled for May 27.
